Embedded in the U.S. Constitution and its jurisprudence exists a deep belief
that citizenry should be free from unwarranted government invasions of the
home. For over 200 years, courts have worked to develop law that balances
the sanctity of privacy in the home with the government’s interest in
investigating, finding, and apprehending suspected felons. Justifying law
enforcement’s violation of privacy when they enter a suspected felon’s
residence is uncomplicated; however, the issue becomes far murkier when a
suspected felon is believed to be hiding in an innocent citizen’s residence.
